National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025
Latest action (14 Sep 2026): On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
What this bill does
H.R. 2406 would strengthen existing federal law governing how the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) prevents and responds to sexual harassment and sexual assault. It expands NOAA's existing policies and annual reporting requirements to also cover equal employment issues, requiring more detailed data such as case synopses, disciplinary actions taken, and statistics on transfer requests and cases referred to the Coast Guard. The bill creates new provisions addressing victim anonymity, sets a three-year deadline for updating confidential ("restricted") reporting procedures, and establishes mandatory reporting requirements for vessel operators when incidents involve mariners with required credentials. It also removes the word "forcibly" and the phrase "on a vessel" from an existing prohibited-acts provision in fisheries law, broadening its scope, and bars individuals convicted of certain sexual offenses from serving in NOAA's commissioned officer corps.
The bill primarily affects NOAA employees, commissioned officers, and "covered personnel," a category explicitly including fisheries and protected-species observers, at-sea and catch monitors, and members and staff of Regional Fishery Management Councils. It also affects vessel operators under contract with NOAA, who would face new mandatory reporting duties to the Coast Guard, and individuals with sexual-offense convictions, who would be barred from officer service.
The bill passed the House on September 14, 2026, by voice vote under a suspension-of-the-rules motion, indicating broad, non-controversial support. It now goes to the Senate for consideration; no further action has yet occurred there.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill passed in the House on September 14, 2026 and goes to the Senate next for consideration.
Timeline
14 Sep 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
15 Jul 2026
Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 2406 do?
- H.R. 2406 would strengthen existing federal law governing how the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) prevents and responds to sexual harassment and sexual assault. It expands NOAA's existing policies and annual reporting requirements to also cover equal employment issues, requiring more detailed data such as case synopses, disciplinary actions taken, and statistics on transfer requests and cases referred to the Coast Guard. The bill creates new provisions addressing victim anonymity, sets a three-year deadline for updating confidential ("restricted") reporting procedures, and establishes mandatory reporting requirements for vessel operators when incidents involve mariners with required credentials. It also removes the word "forcibly" and the phrase "on a vessel" from an existing prohibited-acts provision in fisheries law, broadening its scope, and bars individuals convicted of certain sexual offenses from serving in NOAA's commissioned officer corps. The bill primarily affects NOAA employees, commissioned officers, and "covered personnel," a category explicitly including fisheries and protected-species observers, at-sea and catch monitors, and members and staff of Regional Fishery Management Councils. It also affects vessel operators under contract with NOAA, who would face new mandatory reporting duties to the Coast Guard, and individuals with sexual-offense convictions, who would be barred from officer service. The bill passed the House on September 14, 2026, by voice vote under a suspension-of-the-rules motion, indicating broad, non-controversial support. It now goes to the Senate for consideration; no further action has yet occurred there.
- Has H.R. 2406 become law?
- Not yet. As of 14 Sep 2026, H.R. 2406 is passed house (senate next).
- Who sponsored H.R. 2406?
- H.R. 2406 was sponsored by Rep. Suzanne Bonamici [D-OR1] (Democrat-OR), with 3 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 2406?
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (14 Sep 2026).
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